Omo Onile, Ajagungbale, Land Grabbers, whatever else they are called have also been a menace to Land Owners for several decades. They range from family members of the original land owner, membes of the community or plain Opportunistic Thugs.
Their modus operandi is to disrupt activities of Land Owners, or forcefully infringe themselves on other people’s Lands. They are usuaully armed with weapons and sometimes work with Enforcement agencies. In more affulent areas like the Lekki-axis, these thugs are more dangerous and powerful, riding around in luxury SUV vehicles, demanding for outrageous amounts.
Unfortunately, I have been involved with these groups of individuals in my personal land endeavours. The “Ajagungbales” are a group that forcefully collect other people’s lands. Openly confronting them can lead to violent, deadly encounters (remember the issue of the death of Lekki Free Trade Zone Managing Director, Bola Disu when called to resolve some land dispute). These Guys have “confisticated” large parcels of Land in Ikorodu, include mine. These Gang of about 200 people are armed with weaponry to the teeth, so visiting is not even an option.
Seems like the Lagos state government are ready to implement a Bill to curtail the activities of these scourge. Unfortunately, [b]the punishment upon successful conviction – only N300,000 fine.[b]
Even the traditional leader of Ikorodu, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, called the fine “too meagre”. Enforcement of the Bill is another project on its own.
So it looks like Land grabbing is not going to end in Lagos anytime soon…
Source: Naija Villas
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